For its top level performance in frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the F-150 SuperCrew as a “Top Pick” for 2013, a rating only granted to 142 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Ram 1500 has not been tested, yet.

Warranty Comparison

The F-150 comes with free roadside assistance for 5 years 60,000 miles. Ford will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Ram doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the 1500.

The F-150’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the 1500 runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 33 percent more Ford dealers than there are Ram dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the F-150’s warranty.

Reliability Comparison

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the F-150 have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 5.7 V8 in the Ram 1500.

The F-150 has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Ford F-150 V6’s reliability will be 10% better than the Ram 1500.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2012 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Ram vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ram is ranked 29th.

Engine Comparison

The F-150 has more powerful engines than the Ram 1500:

Horsepower

Torque

F-150 3.7 DOHC V6

302 HP

278 lbs.-ft.

F-150 5.0 DOHC V8

360 HP

380 lbs.-ft.

F-150 3.5 turbo V6

365 HP

420 lbs.-ft.

F-150 6.2 SOHC V8

411 HP

434 lbs.-ft.

Ram 1500 3.6 DOHC V6

305 HP

269 lbs.-ft.

Ram 1500 4.7 SOHC V8

310 HP

330 lbs.-ft.

Ram 1500 5.7 V8

395 HP

407 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford F-150 V6 is faster than the Ram 1500 V6:

F-150

1500

Zero to 60 MPH

7.4 sec

7.6 sec

Zero to 80 MPH

12.6 sec

13.3 sec

Passing 45 to 65 MPH

3.7 sec

4.2 sec

Quarter Mile

15.7 sec

15.8 sec

Speed in 1/4 Mile

89.4 MPH

86.7 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford F-150 3.5 turbo V6 is faster than the Ram 1500 5.7:

F-150

1500

Zero to 30 MPH

2.2 sec

2.3 sec

Zero to 60 MPH

6.2 sec

6.9 sec

Zero to 80 MPH

10.4 sec

12.1 sec

Zero to 100 MPH

16.6 sec

20.3 sec

Passing 45 to 65 MPH

3.2 sec

3.8 sec

Quarter Mile

14.8 sec

15.4 sec

Speed in 1/4 Mile

95 MPH

88.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range Comparison

On the EPA test cycle the F-150 gets better fuel mileage than the Ram 1500:

F-150

Ram 1500

4x2

turbo V6/Auto

16 city/22 hwy

14 city/20 hwy

4.7 V8

5.0 V8/Auto

15 city/21 hwy

14 city/20 hwy

5.7 V8

4x4

turbo V6/Auto

15 city/21 hwy

14 city/19 hwy

4.7 V8

5.0 V8/Auto

14 city/19 hwy

13 city/19 hwy

5.7 V8

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford F-150 uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Ram 1500 with the 5.7 V8 engine requires mid-grade for maximum efficiency, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The F-150 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping Comparison

For better stopping power the F-150’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Ram 1500:

F-150

1500

Front Rotors

13.8 inches

13.2 inches

The F-150 stops much shorter than the Ram 1500:

F-150

Ram 1500

60 to 0 MPH

117 feet

129.77 feet

Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels Comparison

For better traction, the F-150 Raptor’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ram 1500 (315/70R17 vs. 285/45R22).

The Ford F-150’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ram 1500 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling Comparison

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the F-150’s wheelbase is longer than on the Ram 1500:

F-150

Ram 1500

Regular Cab Standard Bed

125.9 inches

120.5 inches

Extended Cab Short Bed

133.3 inches

n/a

Extended Cab Standard Bed

144.5 inches

140.5 inches

Extended Cab Long Bed

163.1 inches

n/a

Crew Cab Short Bed

144.5 inches

140.5 inches

Crew Cab Standard Bed

156.6 inches

149.4 inches

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the F-150 is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Ram 1500.

Cargo Capacity Comparison

The F-150 Short Bed has a much larger cargo box than the Ram 1500 Short Bed (65.5 vs. 57.5 cubic feet). The F-150 Regular Cab Long Bed has a much larger cargo box than the Ram 1500 Long Bed (81.3 vs. 74.7 cubic feet).

The F-150 SuperCrew Short Bed has a much larger cargo box than the Ram 1500 Crew Cab Short Bed (55.4 vs. 50.3 cubic feet). The F-150 SuperCrew Long Bed has a much larger cargo box than the Ram 1500 Crew Cab Long Bed (65.5 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

An available locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the F-150. The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Ergonomics Comparison

The F-150’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ram 1500’s basic optional power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the standard exterior keypad (not available on F-150 XL/STX). The Ram 1500 doesn’t offer an exterior keypad entry system, and its extra cost UConnect Access can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Economic Advantages Comparison

The F-150 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Intellichoice estimates that the F-150 will retain 38.56% to 54.35% of its original price after five years, while the Ram 1500 only retains 30.51% to 44.68%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the F-150 is less expensive to operate than the Ram 1500 because it costs $721 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the F-150 than the Ram 1500, including $36 less for fuel injection, $38 less for a fuel pump and $59 less for a timing belt/chain.

Purchase prices plus tax, tag, title, and Georgia lemon law fee. Prices include the listed rebates and incentives. Please verify all information. We are not responsible for typographical, technical, or misprint errors. Inventory is subject to prior sale. Contact us via phone or email for more details.

Purchase prices plus tax, tag, title, and Georgia lemon law fee. Prices include the listed rebates and incentives. Please verify all information. We are not responsible for typographical, technical, or misprint errors. Inventory is subject to prior sale. Contact us via phone or email for more details.